Hinged pedal assembly



Nov. 26, 1963 P. E. YOUNG HINGED PEDAL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1961 Nov. 26, 1963 P. E. YOUNG 3,111,861

HINGED PEDAL ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 25, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR. Pazl/ I 0 zz 71f United States Patent tion of Indiana Filed Jan. 25, 1961, Ser. No. 84,891 13 Claims. (Cl. 74560) The present invention broadly relates to an improved hinge connection and more particularly to a hinged reinforcing member incorporating an improved hinge connection thereon which is adapted to be imbedded in a resilient material for making hinged pedals and the like.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved hinge connection which eliminates the use of conventional hinge pin for pivotally securing two members together.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hinge connection which can be simply incorporated as an integral portion of the members to be hingedly joined and which connection provides for quick and simple assembly and disassembly of the members.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hinge connection which is of simple design, durable operation, and of economical manufacture.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hinged composite pedal assembly incorporating therein a reinforcing member or framework employing the improved hinge connection comprising the present invention.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention are achieved by incorporating an arcuate tongue having a trough-like configuration along one edge of a hinge member which is adapted to be slidably engaged by a series of arcuate tangs along the other edge of the adjacent hinge member providing therewith relative pivoting movement of the two members about a hinge axis. The hinge connection can also incorporate suitable stop means to restrict relative axial movement of the two members along the hinge axis. Composite hinge assemblies employ a hinged reinforcing member incorporating the improved hinge connection comprising the present invention of which at least a portion of the reinforcing member is imbedded in a resilient material to enable relative pivoting movement of the two hinge members.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of a composite hinged assembly in the form of an accelerator pedal mounted on the floor pan of an automobile;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the toe or treadle portion of the accelerator pedal shown in FIGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the treadle portion of the accelerator pedal shown in FIG. 2 and taken substantially along the line 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the accelerator pedal shown in FIG. 2 and taken substantially along the line 44 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hinged reinforcing member in an assembled position that is employed in the accelerator pedal shown in the previous drawings, and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hinge connection of the hinged reinforcing member in a disassembled condition.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, an exemplary embodiment of a composite hinged assembly incorporating therein the preferred embodiments of the present invention comprises an accelerator pedal 8 comprising a hinged reinforcing member 10 embedded in a resilient ice material 12. The accelerator pedal 8 is comprised of a treadle or toe portion 14 and a base portion 16 which are pivotable relative to each other and are integrally united by the resilient material 12. A typical installation of the accelerator pedal 8 is illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein the base portion '16 is securely fastened to a floor pan 18 of an automobile by suitable fastening means such as screws 20 and the treadle portion 14 extends upwardly therefrom along a toe board 22 separating the engine compartment from the passenger compartment. An accelerator link 24 extends through an aperture in the toe board 22 and is connected to the underside of the treadle portion 14. By this arrangement, actuation of the treadle portion of the accelerator pedal is elfective to control the throttle opening of the automobile engine.

The reinforcing member 10, embedded in the composite accelerator pedal '8 asmay be best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, is comprised of a treadle member 26 and a base member 28 which are hingedly connected together and pivot-able about a hinge axis. An exemplary embodiment of the hinge connection as illustrated in the rawings comprises a longitudinal arcuate tongue 30 of a trough-like configuration projecting from the base member 28. The treadle member 26 is provided with a series of arcuate tangs 32a, 32b, which extend along the hinge axis and are angularly offset and adapted to be disposed in overlying sliding engagement with opposite side surfaces of the arcuate tongue 30. The sliding interlocking relationship between the arcuate tongue 34) and arcuate tangs 32a, 32b, provide for relative pivoting movement of the treadle member and base member about the hinge axis.

In the exemplary embodiment of the hinged reinforcing member 14) shown in the drawings, two arcuate tangs 32a are provided which are adapted to overlie the lower or convex surface of the arcuate tongue 30 while a centrally disposed arcuate tang 32b is adapted to overlie and slidably engage the upper or concave surface of the arcuate tongue 30. It will of course, be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a greater number of arcuate tangs 32a, 3215, can be employed than shown in the drawings which are preferably alternately offset and disposed in overlying sliding engagement with opposite surfaces of the arcuate tongue 30. A simpler version of the hinge connection comprises 2 tangs, each angularly offset from the other, and adapted to overlie opposite side surfaces of the arcuate tongue 30. It will also be appreciated that the arcuate tongue and arcuate tangs can be interchanged between the treadle member 26 and base member 28. The arcuate tongue as shown is of an ogee configuration with the engaging portion thereof having a cross section corresponding to an arcuate segment of a cylindrical tubular member. The arcuate tangs are correspondingly contoured to slidably engage the surfaces of the arcuate tongue.

Relative axial movement along the hinge axis of the treadle member 26 and base member 28 is preferably restricted by incorporating suitable stop means such as tabs 34 projecting upwardly from the side edges of the arcuate tangs 32a which are adapted to be disposed in overlying sliding relationship with the side edges of the arcuate tongue 30. While the resilient material 12 in Which the reinforcing member 10 is embedded serves to resiliently limit axial movement of the two hinged members relative to each other, the incorporation of mechanical stop means such as the tabs 34, is preferred to positively restrict relative axial movement and to facilitate assembly and alignment of the hinged members during formation of the composite accelerator pedal assembly.

The simplicity of construction and assembly of the hinged reinforcing member 10 is illustrated in FIGS. and 6. The simple configuration of the hinge connection enables the formation of the arcuate tangs 32a,

longitudinal annular cavity or region formed between the offset arcuate tangs 32a, 32b, and concurrently relatively pivoting the two members into mutually engaging relationship.

The maximum relative angularity between the treadle member 26 and base member 28 is established by the point at which the forward edge of the arcuate tongue 30 contacts the underside of the arcuate tang 32b projecting from the treadle member 26. The minimum relative engaged angularity between the treadle member 26 and base member 28 is established by the point at which the release angle is attained wherein the forward edge of the arcuate tongue 3% is tangent to the arcuate tangs 32a, 32b, and at which point the arcuate tongue becomes disengaged from the arcuate tangs. The total pivotable movement of the two hinged members is established by the degree of angularity of the arcuate tangs and arcuate tongue. The angularity can of course, be varied dependent upon the specific use of the hinge assembly and the degree of pivoting movement required. The maximum arcuate angularity of the arcuate tongue and arcuate tangs is established by the point at which the release angle attains the point at which the two hinged members interfere with each other preventing assembly and disassembly of the hinge connection.

In the exemplary embodiment of the hinge members employed as a reinforcing member for an accelerator pedal, the base member 28 thereof is provided with a pair of apertures through which the shanks of the screws 20 extend for fastening the composite accelerator pedal 8 to the floor pan 18 of the automobile. "The treadle member 26 is provided with a pair of side flanges 36 for rigidification against bending and torsional stresses and is turned down at the upper end thereof terminating in a Z-shaped clip 38 forming therewith a toe portion 39 which is adapted to contact the toe board 22 restricting angular deflection of the treadle portion of the accelerator pedal. The face of the treadle member 26 is provided with a plurality of perforations 40 through which the resilient material 12 extends effecting a mechanical lock thereof to the reinforcing member 10. In addition, two longitudinal channels or depressions 42 are provided in the treadle member 26 to further rigidify the treadle member and mechanically lock the resilient material thereto.

The hinged reinforcing member is preferably substantially completely embedded in the resilient material 12 which may comprise resilient materials such as natural and synthetic rubbers and mixtures thereof; and any one of a variety of synthetic polymers such as, for exam ple, vinyl polymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.,

. having the appropriate resilient characteristics to enable good adhesion and mechanical looking to the hinged reinforcing member and providing for relative pivotable movement of the treadle member and base member about the hinge axis. Application of the resilient material 12 over the hinged reinforcing member 10 can be achieved by any one of a Variety of techniques such as, for example, dipping, spraying, and preferably by molding the resilient material about the reinforcing member which is appropriately positioned in a mold cavity. The hinged members of the reinforcing member can be disposed at a selected angularity whereby relative angular movement between the hinged members will be resiliently resisted by the stretching and compressing of the resilient material tending to bias the hinged members toward their original positions.

The accelerator pedal illustrated as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the drawings comprises a composite structure wherein the resilient material 12 is molded about the hinged reinforcing member 10 and is provided with a plurality of circular projections or cups 44 along the face of the treadle portion 14 to increase friction and minimize slippage between the drivers foot and the surface of the accelerator pedal. The relative disposition between the hinged reinforcing member 10 and the resilient material 12 molded therearound can be best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments herein illustrated are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hinge assembly comprising a first member and a second member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said first member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting therefrom longitudinally of the hinge axis, said second member including first and second arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending consecutively along the hinge axis, said first and second arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding relationship with opposite sides of said arcuate tongue providing for relative pivoting movement of said first member and said second member about the hinge axis.

2. A hinged assembly comprising a first member and a second member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said first member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis, said second member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending one after the other along the hinge axis, different ones of said series of arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding relationship with opposite sides of said arcuate tongue providing for relative pivoting movement of said first and said second member about the hinge axis.

3. A hinge assembly comprising a first member and a second member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said first member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis, said second member including a first plurality of arcuate tangs and a second plurality of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending consecutively and longitudinally of the hinge axis, said first plurality of arcuate tangs disposed with the arcuate surfaces thereof in overlying sliding engagement with one surface of said arcuate tongue, said second plurality of arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding engagement with the opposite arcuate surface of said arcuate tongue, and stop means associated with said first and said second member for restricting relative axial movement therebetween along the hinge axis.

4. A hinge assembly comprising a first member and a second member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said second member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis, al-

ternate ones of said arcuate tangs radially offset from of said arcuate tangs, and stop means associated with said arcuate tangs and said arcuate tongue for restricting relative axial movement therebetween along the hinge axis.

5. A hinged assembly comprising a first member and a second memberhingedly connected toveach other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said first member including an arcuate. tongue of a trough-alike configuration projectingtherefrom.and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis, said. second member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending along the hinge.axis,.ditferent ones of said series of arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding relationship with opposite sides of said arcuate tongue providing for relative pivoting movement of said first and said second member about'the hinge axis, and coacting means on said arcuate tangs and said arcuate tongue for restricting relative axial movement therebetween along the hinge axis.

6. A hinge assembly comprising a first member and a second member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said first member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis having the arcuate surfaces thereof concentric with the hinge axis, said second member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending along the hinge axis and disposed with the arcuate surfaces thereof concentric With the hinge axis, alternate ones of said series of arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding relationship with opposite said arcuate surfaces of said arcuate tongue providing for relative pivoting movement of said first and said second member about the hinge axis, and stop means associated with said first and said second member for restricting relative axial movement therebetween along the hinge axis.

7. A hinge assembly comprising a first member and a second member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said first member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis having the arcuate surfaces thereof concentric With the hinge axis, said second member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending along the hinge axis and disposed with the arcuate surfaces thereof concentric with the hinge axis, alternate ones of said series of arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding relationship with opposite said arcuate surfaces of said arcuate tongue providing for relative pivoting movement of said first and said second member about the hinge axis, and tab means projecting from the end ones of said series of arcuate tangs and disposed in overlying sliding engagement with the side edges of said arcuate tongue for slidably engaging and restricting relative axial movement between said first member and said second member along the hinge axis.

8. A composite hinge assembly comprising a hinged reinforcing member of which at least a portion thereof is imbedded in a resilient material, said reinforcing member comprising a first member and a second member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said first member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis, said second member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending along the hinge axis, different ones of said series of arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding relationship with opposite sides of said arcuate tongue providing for relative pivoting movement of said first and said second member about the hinge axis.

'9. A composite hinge assembly comprising a hinged reinforcing member of which at least a portion thereof is imbedded in a resilient material, said reinforcing member comprising :a first member and a second member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said first member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting there- 6 from and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis, said second member including a first plurality of arcuate tangs and a second plurality of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending consecutively and longitudinally of the hinge axis, said first plurality of arcuate tangs disposed with the arcuate surfaces thereof in overlying sliding engagement with one surface of said arcuate tongue, said second plurality of arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding engagement with the opposite arcuate surface of said arcuate tongue, and stop means associated with said first and said second member for restricting relative axial movement therebetween along the hinge axis.

10. In a composite hinge assembly the combination comprising a hinged reinforcing member of which at least a portion thereof is imbedded in a resilient material, said reinforcing member comprising a first member and a second member, said second member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis, alternate ones of said arcuate tangs radially offset from each other and disposed with the opposing surfaces thereof defining a longitudinal annular region concentric with the hinge axis, said first member including an arcuate tongue projecting therefrom and disposed in said annular region with the opposite surfaces thereof disposed in sliding engagement With said opposing arcuate surfaces of said arcuate tangs, and stop means associated with said arcuate tangs and said arcuate tongue for restricting relative axial movement therebetween along the hinge axis.

ll. A composite hinge assembly comprising a hinged reinforcing member of which at least a portion thereof is imbedded in a resilient material, said reinforcing member comprising a first member and a second member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said first member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis having the arcuate surfaces thereof concentric with the hinge axis, said second member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending along the hinge axis and disposed with the arcuate surfaces thereof concentric with the hinge axis, alternate ones of said series of arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding relationship with opposite said arcuate surfaces of said arcuate tongue providing for relative pivoting movement of said first and said second member about the hinge axis, and stop means associated with said first and said second member for restricting relative axial movement therebetween along the hinge axis.

12. An accelerator pedal assembly comprising a hinged reinforcing member of which at least a portion thereof is imbedded in a resilient material, said reinforcing member comprising a treadle member and a base member hingedly connected to each other along a hinge axis and,

pivotable thereabout, said base member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis, said treadle member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending along the hinge axis, different ones of said series of arcuate tangs disposed in overlying sliding relationship with opposite sides of said arcuate tongue providing for relative pivoting movement of said base member and said treadle member about the hinge axis, and stop means associated with said base member and said treadle member for restricting relative axial movement therebetween along the hinge axis.

13. An accelerator pedal assembly comprising a hinged reinforcing member of which at least a portion thereof is imbedded in a resilient rubber-like material and adhered thereto, said reinforcing member comprising a treadle member and a base member hingedly connected to each other along "a hinge axis and pivotable thereabout, said base member including an arcuate tongue of a trough-like configuration projecting therefrom and extending longitudinally of the hinge axis, said treadle member including a series of arcuate tangs projecting therefrom and extending along the hinge axis, different ones of said series of arcua-te tangs disposed in overlying slid ing relationship with opposite sides of said arcuate tongue providing for relative pivoting movement of said base member and said treadle member about the hinge axis, coacting means on said arcu'ate tangs and said arcuate tongue for restricting relative axial movement therebetween along the hinge axis, said treadle member provided with a series of longitudinal depressions along the face surface thereof over which said resilient material is disposed forming therewith a plurality of projections adapted to frictionally engage a drivers foot during the actuation of the treadle, and fastening means associated with said base member for securing said accelerator pedal assembly to a support framework.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Smith et a1. Dec. 16, Pearson Apr. 7, Rugg Mar. 3, Ewing Oct. 20, Skurdal Dec. 15, Walters Oct. 12, Boersma Aug. 16, Aaushalter et a1 May 9, Ebel Jan. 16,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 11, Australia Oct. 20, 

1. A HINGE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FIRST MEMBER AND A SECOND MEMBER HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER ALONG A HINGE AXIS AND PIVOTABLE THEREABOUT, SAID FIRST MEMBER INCLUDING AN ARCUATE TONGUE OF A TROUGH-LIKE CONFIGURATION PROJECTING THEREFROM LONGITUDINALLY OF THE HINGE AXIS, SAID SECOND MEMBER INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND ARCUATE TANGS PROJECTING THEREFROM AND EXTENDING CONSECUTIVELY ALONG THE HINGE AXIS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND ARCUATE TANGS DISPOSED IN OVERLYING SLIDING RELATIONSHIP WITH OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID ARCUATE TONGUE PROVIDING FOR RELATIVE PIVOTING MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST MEMBER AND SAID SECOND MEMBER ABOUT THE HINGE AXIS. 